Administrations: The biggest UK retailers to collapse in 2019

Retailers have come under fierce pressure from rising costs and online competitors over the past year, increasing the recent turmoil facing UK high streets.

Over the eleven months to the end of November, 81 UK retailers fell into administration, according to data from KPMG.

This represents a decrease on the same period in 2018, but experts at the corporate finance giant said this has been driven the increased use of restructuring methods as pressures continue to weigh down heavily on retail firms.

Alongside a number of high-profile collapses, some retailers also announced major store closure programmes resulting in thousands of job losses in the industry.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the key retailers which have gone bust or entered administration in 2019:

– LK Bennett

– Jack Wills

Jack Wills collapsed into administration in August before it was snapped up by retail tycoon Mike Ashley.

– Karen Millen

– Links of London

The jewellery retailer is in the midst of an administration after a tumultuous spell under the ownership of Greek business Folli Follie, leaving its 35 stores and 350 jobs at risk.

– Supercuts/Regis

High street hairdressing chains Supercuts and Regis were saved in a rescue deal by entrepreneur Lee Bushell, in a move which secured 140 of their 200 salons, after they fell into administration.

– Bonmarche

– Bathstore

Bathstore fell into administration in June, but 44 of the company’s stores were saved in a rescue deal with Homebase.

– Select

The fashion retailer fell into administration in May, before launching a CVA restructuring plan in June.

– Thomas Cook

– Oddbins

The wine specialist closed a raft of stores after it fell into administration in February, the second time it had collapsed in around eight years.

– Debenhams

The department store chain entered administration in April as it sought to reduce its debt and start a major restructuring process, which would result in store closures.

Dragon’s Den star Peter Jones called in administrators for the property division of his troubled camera chain in December, putting around 500 jobs at potential risk.

– Mamas & Papas

Just days after rival Mothercare went bust, Mamas & Papas tumbled into administration and announced the closure of six high street stores.

– The Book People

The online Book Seller drafted in administrators just a week before Christmas putting almost 400 jobs on the line.

– Clinton’s

Around 2,500 jobs were saved at the greetings card chain as it was sold back to its original owners after it fell into administration on the back of mounting cash flow pressures.

High street stalwart Marks & Spencer is in the midst of plans to close 100 stores to cut costs, while fellow retail giant Tesco announced plans to cut 4,500 jobs in August.

Elsewhere, Boots confirmed in June that it will close 200 UK stores in another blow for the high street.

In May, Sir Philip Green announced plans to shut 23 stores across the UK, including Topshop, Topman and Dorothy Perkins sites, in a move which hit 520 workers.